Myriam Quinn, Author at CSCHN

The CSCHN celebrates a new partnership to tackle gender-based violence

The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is delighted to share the new pilot project : Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM), a province-wide gender-based violence prevention program that promises to have a significant impact in our province. Led by the Ministry of Education and supported by our valued partners, including the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) and Futures Without Violence, this initiative is poised to transform the landscape of youth sport and community engagement.

CBIM, an evidence-based program developed by Futures Without Violence, is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach. Since sports exert a significant influence in the lives of young people, in the CBIM program, coaches and the community will be able to use this influence to teach young boys that strength never lies in violence.

Through a series of 12 sessions, CBIM challenges gendered social norms and promotes the tools needed to combat gender-based violence (GBV). By focusing on respect, healthy relationships and mental health awareness, CBIM aims to build safe communities.

CBIM’s success has been well documented, with results supported by the American Pediatric Association. Building on our experience implementing this program in Hamilton with consistently positive results, we acquired the rights to become certified trainers in Ontario. In addition, we undertook the task of translating the content into French and incorporating Canadian perspectives, with a particular focus on Indigenous voices, in collaboration with our partners.

As part of this project, VBG organizations will play an important role as advocates, responsible for training local high school teachers and coaches to offer CBIM to male athletes. We understand the importance of accessibility, especially for organizations supporting rural and remote areas, and are committed to working closely with all partners to ensure equitable access to the program.

To facilitate success and enable high school coaches to be trained in their respective communities, we are pleased to offer grants of up to $20,000 to VBG organizations. In addition, in an effort to reach up to 200 schools to cover the entire province, funds are allocated to provide teacher time.

Through our collaboration with OAITH, we aim to identify GBV organizations with existing access routes to schools and empower them to carry out this crucial work in their communities. An expression of interest will be circulated to interested GBV organizations, with detailed information available at the next OAITH meeting in June.

We are committed to supporting all trained GBV organizations throughout the implementation process, to ensure continuous improvement. Efforts are underway to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) to facilitate knowledge sharing.

We invite you to join us on this transformative journey to build safe and inclusive communities for our youth. For organizations not affiliated with OAITH, please contact me directly for more information.

Together, we can make a difference.

Loubna Moric,

Director, Sexual Assault and Violence Teams, Health Promotion, Family Services

905-528-0163 or Loubna.moric@cschn.ca

May – Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario

As part of Ontario’s May Sexual Assault Prevention Month campaign, a province-wide initiative to raise awareness and educate about the issue of sexual violence, the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is committed to promoting a culture of prevention, respect and safety for all.

This month, we focus on the importance of education and awareness to end sexual violence, as well as access to community resources and support for survivors and their loved ones.

In recent years, we’ve seen social change. More people are taking a stand against sexual violence. Survivors are speaking out. Journalists are adapting their language. Institutions are demanding training for their staff. Municipalities are declaring gender-based violence an epidemic. Increasingly, it is recognized that sexual violence is rooted in sexist, misogynist attitudes and a colonialist, patriarchal system. – says Loubna Moric, Director of Programs against Sexual Violence and Assault. However, sexual assault is one of the violent crimes that shows no sign of slowing down in recent years, and is often shrouded in myths and silence that can hinder access to information and necessary services.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. We also know that people struggling with systemic violence are even more affected, such as young people, aboriginals, people living with functional limitations, 2SLGBTQ+ people, etc. During the month of May, we’ll be commemorating Red Dress Day on May 5, and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17. Aware of systemic barriers, we provide accessible resources, open discussion spaces in groups and trauma-informed therapy.

This year’s theme, Educate, Raise Awareness, Act, underscores our commitment to ensuring that the community is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize at-risk situations, intervene and provide support safely. Whether it’s through educational programs in schools, community seminars or online resources, we strive to provide information on topics such as consent and healthy relationships.

We recognize the importance of collective action in creating meaningful social change and ending sexual violence. We therefore encourage community members, the media and institutions to become actively involved and support initiatives aimed at furthering education and awareness in the fight against sexual violence.

Together, we can create a future where we all have the opportunity to live a life free from violence. This Sexual Assault Prevention Month, join us in educating, raising awareness and taking action.

The mandate and mission of the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is to offer health, social and community services in French, in order to improve the health and quality of life of the French-speaking population of the greater Hamilton and Niagara regions. Its main activities are: primary and community health care, newcomer services, mental health services for adults and children, health and wellness promotion services, programs against gender-based violence including the program for children exposed to violence, the Alternative Suspension program, the Investir dans mon Avenir project, the anti-trafficking program for youth.

For further information, please contact
Loubna Moric
Director, Sexual Assault and Violence Programs and Community Initiatives
905-528-0163 ext. 3288
loubna.moric@cschn.ca
CSCHN.CA

April Highlights Importance of Oral Health for Total Health

National Dental Hygienists Week takes place from April 4 to 10 as part of oral health month in Canada.

It’s a perfect time to set new oral care goals for yourself, with support from your dental hygienist, an essential primary health
care provider who sees first-hand how good oral hygiene benefits both physical and mental well-being.

Dental hygienists work in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages. They will help you develop good daily oral care routines and will offer treatment recommendations and disease prevention strategies to keep you smiling. Whether calming toddlers at their first dental hygiene appointment or providing care to older adults in long-term care homes, dental hygienists want everyone to enjoy “Oral Health for Total Health.”

This April, join your dental hygienist on the path to good oral
health by taking just six small steps:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Clean between your teeth daily with floss or other interdental devices.
Use an antibacterial mouthrinse once a day.
Make healthy food and beverage choices.
Eliminate tobacco use.
See an oral health professional every six months.

For more information on oral health, click on the banner below.

At the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara, we offer the Ontario Seniors’ Dental Program: adults aged 65 and over, who are eligible.

To learn more about the services we offer, visit: Oral Hygiene Services.

Protect your eyes during April 8 Solar Eclipse!

On April 8, Niagara will be one of the few places in Canada in the path of a total solar eclipse. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime event that is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the region, and Public Health is reminding residents and visitors to protect their eyes and enjoy the eclipse safely.

Use Certified Solar Eclipse Glasses

It is very dangerous to look directly at the sun at any time, and a quick glance during an eclipse can be especially tempting. Looking directly at the uncovered sun can cause irreversible eye damage.

To avoid damaging your retinas when viewing the solar eclipse, only use ISO-12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a reputable vendor and in good condition, and never use regular sunglasses, or do-it-yourself filters. Public Health has information on how to tell if your solar eclipse glasses are safe, and where to buy them.

“Looking directly at the sun can be very dangerous and cause retinal burns, sight loss or blurred vision,” says Dr. Jessica Jackman, Associate Medical Officer of Health. “Because there are no pain sensors in your retinas, you won’t feel your eyes being damaged. This is why we want everyone to be aware of the need to wear proper solar eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.”

Niagara Health Head of Service for Ophthalmology, Dr. Amber Sheikh, agrees, adding sustained or high intensity light exposure from the eclipse will lead to permanent damage to the retina, also known as solar retinopathy.

“The damage from solar retinopathy is permanent with loss of central vision. No treatment is available,” she says. “Vulnerable individuals are young children, people with clear lenses (individuals that have undergone cataract surgery), people who are on certain drugs such as antibiotics like tetracycline, and some people with mental or psychiatric issues.”

More Preparation Tips

Niagara’s local governments, emergency responders, schools and other organizations have been working together for months to make sure the community is ready. With thousands of visitors expected to come to Niagara to view the eclipse, it is important for everyone to prepare ahead of time.

With most schools and childcare facilities closed on April 8, parents and guardians are reminded to have a child care plan in place, and supervise children during the eclipse.

Additionally, as crowds, lines and traffic are expected, everyone is encouraged to fill up their gas tank, get groceries, and have snacks, water and first-aid supplies on hand. For any changes or disruptions to municipal services, call 211 or follow Niagara Region and your local municipality on social media.

Release by Niagara Public Health

To learn more, please visit the Canadian Association of Optometrists website and the document below :

Eclipse_Inforgraphic_ENG

International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day, March 8. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate, on a global scale, the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls. It is also an opportunity to raise public awareness of the progress that has been made in achieving gender equality, and of the work that remains to be done in this regard.

Today, International Women’s Day is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action observed in countries around the world.

On this special day dedicated to celebrating women, we come together to recognize and honor the countless contributions of women throughout history and in our modern society. This year, the theme we have chosen, “Let’s discover our strengths”, is an invitation to explore the diversity and resilience that characterize every woman’s journey.

Each woman here, and those far away, has a unique story, woven from moments of joy, struggle and success. We are women of different origins, cultures and beliefs. We are women of all ages, young girls dreaming of the future, mature women who have made their way with perseverance. We are women of many talents, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, activists, mothers, teachers, caregivers, leaders.

But International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration. It’s also a day of advocacy. We’re here to remind the world that, despite the progress made, women continue to face injustice and inequality. We must fight to ensure that every woman has access to education, to quality healthcare, to fair economic opportunities. We must fight to end violence against women, whether physical, emotional or structural.

Gender equality must not be a distant dream, but a tangible reality. It means that women must be fairly represented in all areas of society, from boards of directors to parliaments, from classrooms to research laboratories. It means that women must be paid equally for equal work, that their voices must be heard, and that women must have equal access to the labour market.

Together, we have the power to change things. Every little gesture, every action, every voice counts. By celebrating our individual strengths, we strengthen our collective ability to advance gender equality. We can inspire future generations to pursue their dreams without limits, to believe in their potential and to defend their rights.

Today, let’s commit to continuing to fight for a future where every woman can reach her full potential, where she is free to be herself without fear or limitation. Let’s commit to ensuring that International Women’s Day is not just a day of celebration, but also a day of transformation, a day when we commit to building a better world for all.

CSCHN celebrates $266,400 in funding from the Government of Ontario

Press Release

Welland, ON – Last Friday, Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre, met with the team at the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN) to celebrate $266,400 from the Government of Ontario through two Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grants.

“I remain a strong supporter of the staff and volunteers of the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara,” said Jeff Burch. “I’m delighted to see the initiatives this organization is taking to build and grow its programs. OTF’s investment plays an important role in ensuring the health and vitality of our francophone community.”

A Resilient Communities Fund grant of $196,900, awarded in May 2023, enabled the CSCHN to offer the Investir dans mon avenir (Investing in My Future) program, which follows a specific curriculum based on an intersectional feminist approach and the social determinants of health to support women in leaving the cycle of violence.

A capital grant of $69,500 was awarded in September 2023. This will meet a community need by enabling the CSCHN to purchase a larger capacity vehicle to safely transport their Niagara clients, more specifically newcomers.

“The capital grant will enable us to better serve our clients who face barriers to getting around. With public transit more difficult to navigate in the region, this vehicle will be a great help to us,” says France Vaillancourt, Executive Director at the CSCHN. “With the mini-bus, we’ll be able to introduce many families to Canadian culture by taking them to various activities, festivals and even to the sugar shack!”

“The funding received through the Resilient Communities Fund is extraordinary. This investment will enable us to provide employability and entrepreneurial empowerment training to francophone women aged 16 and over living in the Niagara and Hamilton regions,” explains Loubna Moric, Acting Director of Sexual Assault and Violence Programs and Community Initiatives at the CSCHN.

With a mandate to provide health, social and community services in French, in order to improve the health and quality of life of Francophones in Hamilton and Niagara, the CSCHN manages community programs based on the needs of the community it serves. Programs are built and implemented taking into account professional best practices, codes of ethics, approved management systems and Canadian Centre for Accreditation requirements as part of the accreditation certification (December 2020) and performance indicators from their many regional, provincial and federal funders.

“The work that the CSCHN does makes such a difference for the new and existing Francophone community in the Hamilton and Niagara regions,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “That’s why the funding my ministry provides through OTF is so important. Our government is committed to ensuring programming that assists in the well-being and safety of the Francophone community continues to be supported across our province.”

The mission of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Ontario government and one of Canada’s largest grantmaking

foundations, last year OTF invested more than $110 million in 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

France Vaillancourt,

Executive Director

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Press release

For immediate release

On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness and addressing this plague that continues to affect millions of people around the world. This year, as we mark this important day, we pay particular attention to the need to support not only women and young people exposed to sexual exploitation, but also those who are victims of human trafficking in other forms, such as forced labor and domestic servitude.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, human trafficking involves various actions such as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons using coercion, abduction, fraud, deception or the abuse of power of a person in a position of vulnerability, with the aim of exploiting them. This exploitation can take many forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and even organ removal.

The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara has been granted funding to provide crucial support to young people and their families, who are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. As young people are often targeted by traffickers, this initiative is of paramount importance in our fight against this scourge. We will continue to provide education, awareness-raising and personalized support to help young people and their families recognize the signs of trafficking and take preventive action.

It is essential to recognize that the Niagara region is particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, especially in the area of sexual exploitation, due to factors such as its geographic location and proximity to the U.S. border. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking has identified the Niagara region as a hub for human trafficking in the country, underscoring the urgent need for action in this region.

Similarly, the City of Hamilton is designated as a high-risk area for human trafficking, due to its strategic location on the transportation route between Toronto and the U.S. border. The Hamilton Police Service has identified human trafficking as a major problem, particularly with regard to sex trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable youth.

The CSCHN will continue to play an active role in the fight against human trafficking in the Hamilton and the Niagara regions, working with local authorities, community organizations and support services to raise awareness, protect and support victims. Finally, we remind you that human trafficking is a global problem that requires a collective and ongoing response from all players in society.

For further information, please contact

Loubna Moric, Director (interim) programs against violence and sexual assault, and community initiatives

Tel. : 905-734-1141

Festive Holiday Q&A session

The Holidays are based on giving and receiving as well as having and sharing. And when they are had, received and shared, they are given. And through this having and giving and sharing and receiving, we too can share and love and have… and receive.*

In our annual festive video, we want to “share” with you what are our favorite memories, meals, gifts, tips, traditions, movies, songs and requests to Santa!

We wish you the best in life; happiness, health and above all laughter.

From our big Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara family to yours, happy holidays and an awesome 2024.

Do not hesitate to share the answer to your fav question!

To view the video made by our Francophones family members, click here.

*A big thank you to Joey for “sharing” this wonderfully well rounded quote…

Market Salary Report

10 Ontario community health organizations, including the Alliance for Healthier Communities, are releasing a new report that shows a worsening staffing crisis within the community health sector due to a growing wage gap.

We need action from government to help solve this issue.

The CSCHN recognizes the need for major investment in the primary and community health sector, and hopes that this report will open the conversations required to achieve pay equity in the health and community services sector. The primary healthcare sector is at the heart of our communities, and must be supported with the necessary resources to meet the growing needs of the population.

Outing to Springride Farm in Burlington: A day to remember for our families

The CSCHN recently organized an outing to Springride Farm in Burlington, offering our families a precious opportunity to get away and enjoy an enchanting environment during this period of changing landscape colors. This outing was made possible thanks to the generous financial support of the City of Hamilton, to whom we extend our warmest thanks.

From the moment they arrived, our families were greeted by a captivating panoramic view, where the autumn colors offered a breathtaking spectacle. This created an atmosphere of relaxation and disconnection, allowing participants to escape the stresses of everyday life.

The day began with invigorating snacks, allowing everyone to recharge their energies before embarking on a series of entertaining activities. The highlights of the day were the tractor rides, providing unforgettable memories for participants, especially the younger ones. The children’s excitement at seeing the different farm animals, as well as the opportunity to choose their own pumpkins, was palpable and created smiles and laughter throughout the day.

Not only did this outing enabled families to create precious memories, it also offered a space for relaxation and recreation where everyone could recharge their batteries and enjoy nature. The moments of happiness shared strengthened the bonds within our community and reminded us of the importance of such initiatives for the well-being of our families.

We would like to express our gratitude to the City of Hamilton for its financial support, which made this memorable outing possible. It is through partnerships such as these that we can continue to offer enriching experiences to our beneficiaries, reinforcing our mission of support and well-being for our families.